System and method for mobile payments

ABSTRACT

A system and method for distributing incentives via mobile devices is described. One embodiment, a computer-server-based method, receives a request from a merchant to generate an incentive which incentive is funded and initiated by the merchant, receives the incentive, associates the incentive with a recipient&#39;s phone number, and transmits a notification of the incentive to a mobile device associated with the recipient&#39;s phone number, the computer server acting as a server-side wallet for the incentive, the incentive being usable, through interaction with the computer server, by the recipient for the purchase of goods or services from the merchant associated with the incentive.

CROSS REFERENCES

The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent applicationSer. No. 13/349,621, filed on Jan. 13, 2012, entitled “System and Methodfor Distributing Mobile Compensation and Incentives,” which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/343,423,filed on Dec. 23, 2008, entitled “System and Method for DistributingMobile Gift Cards,” and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/343,425,filed on Dec. 23, 2008, entitled “System and Method for Re-Distributingand Transferring Mobile Gift Cards,” each of which claims priority fromU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/018,809, entitled “System andMethod for Distributing Mobile Gift Cards,” filed on Jan. 3, 2008, andU.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/025,201, entitled “System andMethod for Re-Distributing and Transferring Mobile Gift Cards,” filed onJan. 31, 2008. Each of the aforementioned applications is incorporatedherein by reference in its entirety and for all purposes.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to electronic commerce. Morespecifically, but not way of limitation, the present invention relatesto systems and methods for distributing compensation and incentives viamobile devices.

2. Background of the Invention

Incentives have become increasingly popular in recent years as a way toreward loyal patrons for their business and as a way to entice newpatrons to patronize a merchant's business. Most incentives are in aphysical form such as a coupon or card that requires the patron toremember the incentive and carry it with them in order to redeem thatincentive. For a mobile device user who wishes to conduct all financialtransactions via his or her mobile device, carrying additional items inorder to redeem incentives is undesirable. Accordingly, there is a needto provide systems and methods for distributing and redeeming mobileincentives.

SUMMARY

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention that are shown in thedrawings are summarized below. These and other embodiments are morefully described in the Detailed Description section. It is to beunderstood, however, that there is no intention to limit the inventionto the forms described in this Summary of the Invention or in theDetailed Description. One skilled in the art can recognize that thereare numerous modifications, equivalents, and alternative constructionsthat fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed inthe claims.

The present invention can provide a system and method for distributingmobile incentives. One illustrative embodiment is acomputer-server-based method for distributing a mobile incentive,comprising receiving a selection of a merchant with which to associatethe mobile incentive; receiving an indication of a monetary amount forthe mobile incentive; receiving an electronic payment for the monetaryamount; applying the monetary amount to the mobile incentive;associating the mobile incentive with a recipient's phone number; andtransmitting a notification of the mobile incentive to a mobile deviceassociated with the recipient's phone number; wherein the computerserver acts as a server-side wallet for the mobile incentive, and themobile incentive is usable, through interaction with the computerserver, by the recipient for the purchase of goods or services, from themerchant associated with the mobile incentive.

Another illustrative embodiment is a system for distributing a mobileincentive, comprising at least one processor; and a memory containing aplurality of program instructions executable by the at least oneprocessor, the plurality of program instructions being configured tocause the at least one processor to receive a request from a merchant togenerate a mobile incentive; identify the mobile incentive; associatethe mobile incentive with a recipient's phone number; and transmit anotification of the mobile incentive to a mobile device associated withthe recipient's phone number; wherein the system acts as a server-sidewallet for the mobile incentive, and the mobile incentive is usable,through interaction with the system, by the recipient for the purchaseof goods or services from the merchant associated with the mobileincentive.

These and other embodiments are described in further detail herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part ofthe specification in which like numerals designate like parts,illustrate embodiments of the present invention and together with thedescription, serve to explain the principles of the invention. Variousobjects and advantages and a more complete understanding of the presentinvention are apparent and more readily appreciated by reference to thefollowing Detailed Description and to the appended claims when taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram of an environment in which variousillustrative embodiments of the invention can be implemented;

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing interactions among various entities involvedin the distribution and use of mobile incentives, in accordance with anillustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a server that distributes andmanages mobile incentives in accordance with an illustrative embodimentof the invention;

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for distributing a mobile incentive inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention;

FIGS. 5A and 5B are flowcharts of a method for distributing a mobileincentive in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of theinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In various illustrative embodiments of the invention, the limitations ofconventional physical and electronic compensation and incentives areovercome by replacing the physical form factor of plastic, magneticallyencoded cards with a mobile device such as a cellular telephone in amanner that leaves intact existing compensation and incentive systemsand services operated by card service providers.

From time to time, providers of goods and services wish to provide theircustomers with incentives. Providers of goods and services may also bereferred to as merchants or the “merchant” in the discussion herein. Anincentive can be, for example, a percentage discount on a futurepurchase, a percentage discount to be taken on the current transaction,a free good or service up to a specific dollar amount, a buy one, getone coupon, a specific dollar amount to be provided as ‘cash back’ forfuture transactions, loyalty point addition, subtraction or redemption,or a specific redeemable dollar amount to be taken on the currenttransaction. Incentives as described herein as merchant funded and,thus, operate differently from gift cards or other forms of paymentcards. One of skill in the art will recognize that an incentive can bein any form that can be transferred as an electronic coupon thatpertains to the goods or services provided by the merchant or“merchant.”

A mobile-incentive platform in accordance with these illustrativeembodiments provides, among other things, a server-side digital walletfor mobile incentives that overcomes the shortcomings (e.g., risk ofloss or theft) associated with virtual incentives or incentivecertificates that reside within the mobile device itself. In theseillustrative embodiments, no credentials (account numbers, balances, orother sensitive information) associated with the mobile incentive residein the mobile device itself. Instead, a secure network infrastructuredistributes and manages the mobile incentives and their associatedcredentials, the mobile device acting merely as one means for the userto communicate with the server-side digital wallet to access a varietyof flexible services surrounding use of the mobile incentives.

Such flexible services include, without limitation, the ability of auser to view a list of all available mobile incentives in his or herserver-side digital wallet, the ability to view the current balance ofany particular mobile incentive, the ability to purchase securely goodsor services from the merchant associated with a particular incentiveusing the mobile device at the point of sale (however, the option to usea physical card is not preempted by the mobile-incentive-card platformdescribed herein), and the ability to transfer some or all of thebalance of a particular mobile incentive to another person.

Referring now to the drawings, where like or similar elements aredesignated with identical reference numerals throughout the severalviews, and referring in particular to FIG. 1, it is a functional blockdiagram of an environment 100 in which various illustrative embodimentsof the invention can be implemented. In environment 100, distributor105, merchant's agent 110, merchant 115, payment processor 120, wirelesscarrier 125, and incentive-card service provider 140 are able tocommunicate with one another via network 135. A user's mobile device130—e.g., a cellular or Personal Communication Service (PCS) phone—isalso able to communicate with nodes connected with network 135 viawireless carrier 125. In some embodiments, network 135 includes, but isnot necessarily limited to, the Internet.

The environment 100 in FIG. 1 builds on existing incentive-card systemsand payment card systems that can be operated by incentive-card serviceprovider 140 or payment providers such as, without limitation, FIRSTDATA and COMDATA. Incentive service provider 140, among other things,can administer the financial aspects of incentives for the merchant orthe merchant can facilitate the financial aspects without the use of aservice provider, including keeping track of the balance associated witha particular incentive, settlement, reporting to merchants, and otherfunctions.

Merchant 115 sells goods, services, or both and provides mobileincentives to consumers, sometimes with the assistance of merchant'sagent 110. That is, merchant's agent 110 can facilitate or merchant canfacilitate the distribution and sale of mobile incentives issued bymerchant 115 by acting as an intermediary between merchant 115 and anyof the following: (1) a incentive-card service provider 140, (2)mobile-incentive-card distributor 105, (3) mobile-incentive-cardpurchasers (those giving the mobile incentives to others), and (4)mobile-incentive-card recipients (consumers who use the mobileincentives in commerce). It should be noted by one of skill in the artthat a merchant's agent is not necessary to the invention but is ratherone description of a commercial reality for merchants. A consumerholding such a mobile incentive can use the mobile incentive to redeemgoods or services or in connection with the purchase of goods orservices from the particular merchant that issued the mobile incentive,as explained above. How the holder of a mobile incentive redeems themobile incentive from the issuing merchant is discussed further below.

Payment processor 120 processes the source of funds for transactionscarried out from a user's mobile device such as the user's applicationof a mobile incentive or purchase of a mobile incentive on behalf ofsomeone else. In such transactions, payment processor 120 acts as anagent of the merchant to collect funds from the user's credit card orother payment source, should the amount of the transaction exceed theamount associated with the mobile incentive. In some embodiments, anentity acting as a payment processor 120 in certain contexts may also bea distributor 105 in other contexts.

Distributor 105 can take on a variety of different forms, depending onthe particular embodiment.

In one embodiment, distributor 105 is an entity (not necessarily amerchant but possibly the merchant) that operates a Web site or otherelectronic communication channel where mobile incentives for a number ofdifferent merchants are offered in an aggregated fashion. In anotherembodiment, a single merchant markets its mobile incentives via remotedistribution channels, local distribution channels, or both. Forexample, a merchant may market its mobile incentives via a remotedistribution channel such as a Web site or other networked electroniccommunication channel using Application Programming Interfaces (APIs)supplied by merchant's agent 110 or another entity. That is, a merchantmay use flexible APIs provided by merchant's agent 110 to customize aWeb site or other networked electronic communication channel to offerits mobile incentives in a manner consistent with the merchant'sparticular brand identify, logos, etc. A merchant may also employ localdistribution methods in a store (at the point of sale). In such anembodiment, the mobile incentive can be “mobilized” (made accessible tothe recipient via the recipient's mobile device) at the point of sale.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing interactions among various entities 200involved in the distribution and use of mobile incentives, in accordancewith an illustrative embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 2, incentivesystem 210 represents a system operated by a conventional incentive-cardservice provider 140 such as, without limitation, FIRST DATA, Mocapay,or COMDATA. Various embodiments of the invention preserve the existingpayments infrastructure supporting the use of incentives and overlaythem with a mobile commerce platform 205, which is explained below.Other entities involved are a mobile-payments-enabled merchant(sometimes called simply a “merchant” herein) 225, a mobile user 220,and carriers or other entities (“CARRIERS/OTHERS” in FIG. 2) 215 andtheir associated distribution systems (see distributor 105 in FIG. 1).In the discussion of FIG. 2 below, interactions among these entities areidentified by their corresponding reference numerals in parentheses.

In some embodiments, mobile user 220 can use a variety of differentaccess methods such as, without limitation, Short Message Service (SMS)messages, Multimedia Message Service (MMS) messages, Wireless AccessProtocol (WAP), an application, or voice to obtain one-use perishableauthorization codes request purchase code 240 from mobile commerceplatform 205 in making payments from a variety of different tenders(forms of payment), including mobile incentives. Mobile user 220 canalso use a variety of methods, including the above examples, to provideone-use perishable authorization codes to merchant 225 in makingelectronic purchase 260. Additional details regarding suchmobile-payment technology can be found in U.S. patent application Ser.No. 11/624,620, entitled “Systems and Method for Secure Wireless PaymentTransactions,” which is incorporated herein by reference in itsentirety.

Mobile user 220 may also receive targeted marketing messages 250 before,during, or after a mobile purchase via mobile commerce platform 205 andmay purchase 235 mobile incentives from a carrier 215 (e.g., T-MOBILE,AT&T, VERIZON WIRELESS, etc.) or other distributor 105 such as a socialnetworking Web site. The targeted marketing messages are assisted by theability of merchant 225 to submit marketing rules, content, or both 265to mobile commerce platform 205.

Merchant 225 receives payment authorization 255 from mobile commerceplatform 205 in conjunction with the mobile payments technologymentioned above in connection with U.S. patent application Ser. No.11/624,620. The mobile payments process is summarized briefly below.

Mobile commerce platform 205 facilitates the activation 230 of mobileincentives sold by a carrier or other entity 215 (or other distributor105) in cooperation with incentive system 210 via communication link275. Incentive system 210 also provides, among other things, settlementand reporting services 270 to merchant 225.

When mobile user 220 makes a purchase using a mobile incentive, mobileuser 220 contacts mobile commerce platform 205 using any of a variety ofaccess methods (e.g., SMS, MMS, WAP or other browser technology,application, voice) to provide an optional personal identificationnumber (PIN) by which mobile commerce platform 205 authenticates mobileuser 220 to request a purchase code 240. Mobile commerce platform 205provides mobile user 220 with one-time perishable (time-limited)authorization codes and balances for various tenders available to thatuser, including mobile incentives. In the present example, customer ormobile user 220 selects a specific mobile incentive to be used in makingthe purchase and a specific payment card to be used to complete thetransaction. The mobile-payments-enabled merchant 225 submits theauthorization code provided by mobile user 220 and the transactionamount to mobile commerce platform 205 payment authorization 255. Mobilecommerce platform 205 routes the transaction parameters to incentivesystem 210, which ensures that the requested amount is available on theindicated mobile incentive and the payment card has the available fundsto complete the transaction. If everything checks out, incentive system210 informs mobile commerce platform 205, which, in turn, conveys areturn authorization to the merchant 225, completing the transactionpayment authorization 255.

With this high-level background in place, the remainder of this DetailedDescription focuses primarily on the distribution and transfer of mobileincentives, primarily from the merchant to the consumer but the servercan be configured to allow the transfer of an incentive from oneconsumer to another. FIG. 3 is a functional block diagram of a computerserver (“server”) 300 that distributes and manages mobile incentives inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. In thisembodiment, server 300 is part of mobile commerce platform 205 (see FIG.2). In FIG. 3, processor 305 communicates over data bus 310 with inputdevices 315, display 320, communication interfaces 325 (“COMM.INTERFACES” in FIG. 3), storage devices 330 (e.g., hard disk drives orflash memory), and memory 335. Though FIG. 3 shows only a singleprocessor, multiple processors or a multi-core processor may be presentin some embodiments.

Input devices 315 include, for example, a keyboard, a mouse or otherpointing device, or other devices that are used to input data orcommands to server 300 to control its operation. Communicationinterfaces 325 may include, for example, various serial or parallelinterfaces for communicating with network 135 (see FIG. 1) or one ormore peripherals.

Memory 335 may include, without limitation, random access memory (RAM),read-only memory (ROM), flash memory, magnetic storage (e.g., a harddisk drive), optical storage, or a combination of these, depending onthe particular embodiment. In FIG. 3, memory 335 includes mobileincentive management platform 340, which distributes and manages mobileincentives. In doing so, mobile incentive management platform 340accesses and manipulates mobile incentive data 345, which may reside, atleast in part, on storage devices 330.

As mentioned above, mobile incentive management platform 340 implementsa server-side digital wallet for the mobile incentive data 345. A“mobile incentive” is, thus, a digital construct (stored digital data)that replaces a physical (e.g., plastic, magnetically encoded)incentive. It should be noted that an incentive is a merchant fundeddevice; i.e, the merchant is the entity that provides the financialaccount for “funding” the incentive. In other words, instead of theconsumer's account covering the amount of the transaction, themerchant's account is debited or reduced to cover the amount of theincentive. The mobile incentive is also initiated by the merchant andtransmitted to the consumer as part of the consumer registration in themobile payments platform. The consumer does not initiate the activationof the incentive; rather activation of the incentive is automatic oncethe merchant initiates and funds the incentive. In this illustrativeembodiment, server 300 stores account information for eachmobile-incentive holder. That is, each mobile-incentive user initiallycreates an account on server 300. This account information includes, foreach mobile incentive belonging to a particular user, (1) the user'smobile phone number, (2) the account number of the particular mobileincentive (analogous to a bar code of a physical coupon or incentive),and (3) the merchant that issued the mobile incentive. In someembodiments, server 300 stores additional information or differentinformation from that just indicated. Note, however, that, in thisparticular embodiment, the balance remaining on the mobile incentive isnot stored on server 300. Instead, the balance is tracked by theincentive service provider 140 that operates the applicable incentivesystem 210. As mentioned above, no credentials associated with a mobileincentive reside on the user's mobile device.

In one illustrative embodiment, mobile incentive management platform 340is implemented as software that is executed by processor 305. Suchsoftware may be stored, prior to its being loaded into RAM for executionby processor 305, on any suitable computer-readable storage medium suchas a hard disk drive, an optical disk, or a flash memory. In general,the functionality of mobile incentive management platform 340 may beimplemented as software, firmware, hardware, or any combination orsub-combination thereof. The methods carried out by mobile incentivemanagement platform 340 are explained more fully below in connectionwith FIGS. 4-5A and 5B.

A typical application for mobile incentive is a situation in which UserA (typically, a merchant or provider of goods and services) wishes togive User B (typically, a customer of the merchant) an incentive (e.g.,User B has been a loyal patron and User A wishes to reward User B'sloyalty). From a user perspective, User A can communicate with server300 of mobile commerce platform 205 in a variety of different ways topurchase a mobile incentive for User B. Examples include, withoutlimitation, a Web site hosted by server 300 (or another server elsewhereon the network) and visited by User A using a client personal computer(PC), a Web site or other portal accessed using User A's cellular or PCSphone, a visit by User A at the merchant's store, or other avenues(e.g., User A's wireless carrier or a social networking Web site), asdiscussed above. User A can employ methods such as, without limitation,SMS, MMS, WAP (a microbrowser on a mobile device), or voice (in personor over the phone) to initiate an incentive for User B. In general, UserA simply needs a way to communicate, directly or indirectly, with server300. The foregoing example of User A providing a mobile incentive forUser B will be referred to frequently in the description of FIGS. 4-5that follows.

FIG. 4 is a flowchart of a method for distributing a mobile incentive inaccordance with an illustrative embodiment of the invention. The processmay begin when the mobile incentive management platform 340 receives arequest, from a merchant, to generate a new mobile incentive. At 410,the mobile incentive management platform 340 receives a requestindicating the type of mobile incentive to be created and generated fromthe merchant, and, at 415, receives a request to associate a specificincentive amount with another person.

At 420, the mobile incentive management platform 340 receives the phonenumber of the intended recipient of the incentive and, at 425,associates the mobile incentive with User B's (the recipient's) phonenumber (provided by User A or the merchant). At 430, the mobileincentive management platform 340 transmits or otherwise conveys anotification regarding the mobile incentive to a mobile device (e.g., acellular or PCS phone) associated with User B's (the recipient's) phonenumber provided by User A above in Block 425. If the incentive is a freegood or service, for example, a free appetizer, User A supplies amonetary value to the free appetizer.

The notification at FIG. 4 may be accomplished in a variety of ways,including, without limitation, an SMS message, an MMS message, a voicemessage, or an application. The application, in some embodiments, is aWAP browser or other type of Internet browser running on themobile-gift-card recipient's mobile device. In other embodiments, theapplication is a specialized application other than a browser.

In some embodiments, the notification to the recipient includes apersonalized message created by the merchant such as, “Thank you foryour patronage.”

Following receipt of the mobile incentive, User B can use the mobileincentive to purchase goods or services from the merchant associatedwith the mobile incentive in a variety of different ways, as explainedabove (see discussion of secure payments in connection with FIG. 2above).

Activation can also take different forms, depending on the particularembodiment. In some embodiments, for example, the notification User Breceives includes instructions to User B for how to activate the mobileincentive. For example, the notification may be an SMS message stating,“Bob, you've received a $100 mobile incentive for SPORTS AUTHORITY.Please visit mocapay.com to activate your mobile incentive.” Note that,in such embodiments, the notification includes a hyperlinked UniformResource Locator (URL) for User B to follow to complete the activationprocess. Alternatively, User B could be provided with a phone number, ane-mail address, or other contact information for accomplishingactivation. When User B contacts mobile commerce platform 205 toactivate the mobile incentive, User B is directed to create an account,if User B does not already have one. Mobile commerce platform 205 guidesUser B through this straightforward process.

In another embodiment, if User B already has an account with mobilecommerce platform 205, the mobile incentive is activated automaticallywhen the notification is transmitted to User B, which makes the mobileincentive available to User B immediately upon receipt of thenotification. To redeem the mobile incentive, User B communicates withthe server-side digital wallet supported by mobile incentive managementplatform 340 in the manner described above in connection with FIG. 2.

In another embodiment, mobile incentive management platform 340 receivesa specific activation date from User A (the party providing the mobileincentive). For example, if User B's birthday is still five days in thefuture, User A would like to postpone notification of the mobileincentive until User B's birthday. In such an embodiment, notificationof the mobile incentive is conveyed to User B on the activation datespecified by User A.

At 435, the method in FIG. 4 terminates.

FIGS. 5A and 5B are a flowchart of a method for redeeming a mobileincentive in accordance with another illustrative embodiment of theinvention. At 510, the mobile incentive management platform 340 receivesa customer PIN and, at 515, receives a customer device identification.Based on those two pieces of information, the platform authenticates thecustomer at 520. Once the customer is authenticated, the platformretrieves the electronic wallet associated with the customer at 525. Theplatform then receives a merchant selection from the customer at 530.Once a merchant is selected, at 540, the platform identifies whether anincentive is associated with the merchant and the customer's mobiledevice number. The platform, at 545, then transmits the electronicwallet to the customer and, at 550, queries the customer as to whetherthe incentive should be used. At 555, the platform receives an accountcode, input regarding the application of the incentive and a transactionamount. Additional information could be transmitted such asidentification of the items purchased and associated monetary values.

As shown in FIG. 5B, if the incentive is to be used, the platformapplies the incentive to the transaction amount at 560 and transmits anauthorization code to the customer at 565. The customer then providesthe authorization code to the merchant. At 570, the platform receives atransaction approval request from the merchant. At 575, the platformauthorizes the transaction approval request and transmits an approvalcode to the merchant at 580. At 585, the platform transmits anelectronic receipt to both the merchant and the customer. The receiptprovides all the pertinent details of the transaction and also showsthat the incentive was used and the value of the incentive. The platformthen stores the transaction details at 590 and generates and executessettlement instructions at 595.

In conclusion, the present invention provides, among other things, asystem and method for distributing compensation and incentives. Althoughthe present invention and its advantages have been described in detail,it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, andalterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, thescope of the present application is not intended to be limited to theparticular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, compositionof matter, means, methods, and steps described in the specification. Asone of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from thedisclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture,compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing orlater to be developed that perform substantially the same function orachieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodimentsdescribed herein may be utilized according to the present invention.Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within theirscope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter,means, methods, or steps. The invention disclosed herein may suitably bepracticed in the absence of any element that is not specificallydisclosed herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A computer server-based method of conducting atransaction, comprising: authenticating a mobile user associated with amobile device; providing a one-use authorization code to the mobiledevice in connection with the transaction and in response to theauthentication; receiving the one-use authorization code from a merchantin connection with a requested amount; and returning an authorization tothe merchant in response to a determination that the mobile user hasavailable funds in the requested amount.
 2. The method of claim 1,further comprising: determining that an incentive is associated with themerchant and the mobile device; and querying the mobile device whetherto apply the incentive to the transaction.
 3. The method of claim 2,further comprising: applying the incentive to the requested amount. 4.The method of claim 1, wherein authenticating the mobile user comprises:receiving a user identifier from the mobile device.
 5. The method ofclaim 1, wherein the user identifier comprises a personal identificationnumber (PIN).
 6. The method of claim 1, further comprising: transmittinga balance to the mobile device for a tender available to the mobile userin connection with the one-use authorization code.
 7. The method ofclaim 6, wherein the tender comprises at least one of: a financialaccount or an incentive.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprising:transmitting an electronic receipt of the transaction to the merchantand the mobile device.
 9. An apparatus for conducting a transaction,comprising: at least one processor; and, a memory containing a pluralityof program instructions executable by the at least one processor, theplurality of program instructions being configured to cause the at leastone processor to: authenticate a mobile user associated with a mobiledevice; provide a one-use authorization code to the mobile device inconnection with the transaction and in response to the authentication;receive the one-use authorization code from a merchant in connectionwith a requested amount; and return an authorization to the merchant inresponse to a determination that the mobile user has available funds inthe requested amount.
 10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein theplurality of program instructions are configured to cause the at leastone processor to: determine that an incentive is associated with themerchant and the mobile device; and query the mobile device whether toapply the incentive to the transaction.
 11. The apparatus of claim 10,wherein the plurality of program instructions are configured to causethe at least one processor to: apply the incentive to the requestedamount.
 12. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of programinstructions are configured to cause the at least one processor to:receive a user identifier from the mobile device.
 13. The apparatus ofclaim 12, wherein the user identifier comprises a personalidentification number (PIN).
 14. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein theplurality of program instructions are configured to cause the at leastone processor to: transmit a balance to the mobile device for a tenderavailable to the mobile user in connection with the one-useauthorization code.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein the tendercomprises at least one of: a financial account or an incentive.
 16. Theapparatus of claim 9, wherein the plurality of program instructions areconfigured to cause the at least one processor to: transmit anelectronic receipt of the transaction to the merchant and the mobiledevice.
 17. A computer program product, comprising: a non-transitorycomputer-readable medium comprising a plurality of program instructionsconfigured to cause at least one processor to: authenticate a mobileuser associated with a mobile device; provide a one-use authorizationcode to the mobile device in connection with a transaction and inresponse to the authentication; receive the one-use authorization codefrom a merchant in connection with a requested amount; and return anauthorization to the merchant in response to a determination that themobile user has available funds in the requested amount.
 18. Thecomputer program product of claim 17, wherein the plurality of programinstructions are configured to cause the at least one processor to:determine that an incentive is associated with the merchant and themobile device; and query the mobile device whether to apply theincentive to the transaction.
 19. The computer program product of claim18, wherein the plurality of program instructions are configured tocause the at least one processor to: apply the incentive to therequested amount.
 20. The computer program product of claim 17, whereinthe plurality of program instructions are configured to cause the atleast one processor to: transmit a balance to the mobile device for atender available to the mobile user in connection with the one-useauthorization code.